Judith Chapman (Gloria, Y&R) posted the news of Conboy’s death on her facebook page along with these sentiments: “It is with a heavy heart and a grateful smile that I called him my friend,, “BIG” JOHN CONBOY, the ORIGINAL Producer on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, left us today The Big Guy, with the BIG LAUGH, Man about Town, and One HELLUVA PRODUCER… Whether you loved him, or not ..YOU have to agree He was ONE OF A KIND! God Bless you, John. Give Jeanne a Hug from all of us.”

CBS Daytime also tweeted: “We join Judith and the CBS Daytime community in mourning the loss of John Conboy. John was a longtime Executive Producer on #YR, created Capitol and later was EP of Guiding Light. He will remain in our hearts forever.”

Conboy was the original executive producer of The Young and the Restless and remained with the show from its inception in 1973 through to 1982. Prior to that, he served as the EP on CBS’ Love is a Many Splendored Thing from 1970-1973. After Y&R, John next launched CBS’ new soap Capitol and stayed as the EP up through its cancellation in 1987.

John made a comeback in 1991 with the one and only Santa Barbara, where he served as the top executive of the series for a time, with the last soap he helmed being Guiding Light from 2002-2004.

Throughout his daytime career, Conboy picked up four Daytime Emmys – three for the soaps, and one for an afternoon special.

Share your thoughts on the passing of John Conboy in the comment section below.

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I didn’t know Mr Conboy but even I recognize his excellence in daytime drama. I watched Guiding Light and still watch Y&R….RIP Mr. Conboy. Thank you for your gifts to us.

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January 20, 2018 9:27 am

K/kay

I adored his work he was great.

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January 20, 2018 11:21 am

K/kay

People this. Was when Daytime. Was really a force now it’s just ok this is my buddy he works you don’t back when personal feelings were kept out of the work environment you had a job you did it.

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January 20, 2018 11:24 am

Shay

So right you are, k/kay! Mr. Conboy’s efforts were class personified…He helmed so many superb shows that made daytime viewing a sumptuous feast to be savored….In contrast, today we’re simply left to pick up the leftover crumbs in search of the occasional treat!!!!!

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January 20, 2018 10:06 pm

jaybird369

Mr. John Conboy…Thank You…Thank You for ALL that you brought and gave to the soap genre over the years. You will be truly missed. Rest In Peace.

Amen.

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January 20, 2018 12:24 pm

Kevin C

I so remember John Conboy being the EP at the beginning of Y&R who made a difference during his time at Y&R…RIP John…

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January 20, 2018 2:10 pm

Barbara from Atlanta

Jeanne Cooper discussed Conboy in her autobiography. He was the one who contacted her about appearing on Y&R in what she thought would be the short-term part of Kay Chancellor.

Sorry to hear of his passing. Y&R owes its success to people like Bill Bell and Conboy. They built a strong foundation for the show, which is a major reason that the show has managed to stay on the air — even in its current, very diminished form with a constant flow of head writers trotting in and out the door for the past decade. When I hear of the passing of someone like Conboy, it is yet another sad reminder that we have moved farther and farther from the Y&R that I watched and loved for years.

My condolences to Mr. Conboy’s family.

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January 20, 2018 4:01 pm

Kevin C

Very well said Barbara…THANK YOU…he surely will be missed and I loved what he did for Y&R…

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January 21, 2018 2:18 pm

Ron

Barbara, I could not have said it any better. Thank you for speaking on behalf of so many loyal Y & R fans.

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January 22, 2018 10:06 am

4ever DAYS

Into the wild blue YondeR…

RIP, JC.

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January 20, 2018 4:34 pm

Iakovos

A man whose talents and leadership clearly were a gift to the genre and to fans of these wonderful programs.

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January 20, 2018 4:46 pm

Julianne

The GUIDING LIGHT was the best soap ever with REVA ❤️ No one could ever repeat those scenes with Josh

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January 22, 2018 2:26 pm

Janice T. White-Harris

RIP his work was inventive & appreciated by many people of color!

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February 5, 2018 11:08 am

Connie

Mr. Conboy was a class act and one of the greatest creative in soap history. May he R.I.P

Matt Bomer Says His Upcoming Guest Appearance On Will & Grace Is A “Dream Come True”

August 26, 2018

Now this ought to be good! Former Guiding Light alum (where he played Ben Reade), and motion picture, theatre and TV star, Matt Bomer has been cast in the new season of NBC’s hit comedy Will & Grace!

Matt will take on the role of a smooth-talking, self-absorbed TV news anchor who will play a love interest of Eric McCormack’s, Will.

In addition to Bomer, the episode will feature Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, who is also set to be one of the judges in the upcoming Dancing with the Stars: Juniors edition, and Minnie Driver who reprises her role of Lorraine Finster, the arch-nemesis of Karen (Megan Mullally).

Joining Michael in-studio as guest co-host was General Hospital’s Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos). The show began with a guest call-in to surprise Laura, which was revealed to be daytime drama icon, and four-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kim Zimmer (Ex-Reva) of Guiding Light. Laura and Kim worked together on the beloved CBS soap where they played sisters. Kim expressed how much she enjoys checking out General Hospital and the actors performances she has loved watching which included: Max Gail (Mike), and the recently exited Nelle (Chloe Lanier), among others. Michael, Laura, and Kim bantered on the actresses time on GL and more.

Next, GH’s Michael Easton (Finn) joined the show where he discussed the release of his upcoming 20th anniversary edition of his book 18 Straight Whiskeys, working on GH opposite Finola Hughes (Anna) and Jessica Tuck (Cassandra). During his segment, Michael Fairman asked Easton to play a game show segment he prepared for him, which was called, “Michael, Who Said That?” In it, Michael Easton had to guess which one of his many soap characters was he portraying in the scene in the audio clip, and it made for one of the highlights of the night.

Calling in from New York City was Stacy Haiduk, who is about to make her debut this week on the August 21st of Days of our Lives as Susan Banks, replacing Eileen Davidson in the role. Susan is back on the canvas just as John and Marlena’s wedding is about to begin. The question is: Will more of Davidson’s roles be played by Haiduk during her upcoming rum on the show? We chatted with Stacy about working on DAYS, and taking over the one-of-a-kind role of Susan made soap-famous by Emmy winner, Davidson.

Then, The Young and the Restless, Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) was our special guest in the studio. Jason talked about Billy’s latest stumble back into his gambling addiction, Phyllis’ fling with Nick, and if Billy will be able to resist the seduction attempts by Phyllis’ daughter, Summer on upcoming episodes. Jason fielded several questions from fans who called-in to chat with him during his segment. As well, throughout the broadcast, several listeners were able to get through the busy phone lines to pose a question to our guests.

Michael surprised the listeners with none other than Maurice Benard (Sonny) of General Hospital as the last guest on the show. Maurice was celebrating his 25th anniversary as Sonny on the ABC daytime drama series. With Maurice, some of the funniest moments of the night occurred when Jason and Laura recounted what happened the first time they met him. Maurice also expressed that this past week, he taped some of his most favorite scenes of all-time, and Laura said they have been very emotional. As announced, look for a special Sonny-centric episode in September in honor of Benard’s 25 years as Port Charles’ top mobster.

Finally, one lucky caller won a pair of tickets to the GH Fantasy Event in Atlanta, Georgia, during our game show trivia segment, when he had the correct answers (with an assist from Jason Thompson) to the questions.

Now, click on the play button at the top left of the player at the top of this post, and hear the replay of the Soap Nation Live! Season Premiere with Laura Wright, Kim Zimmer, Michael Easton, Stacy Haiduk, Jason Thompson, and Maurice Benard.

Morgan Fairchild And Soap Notables Filming New LGBTQ Series ‘Mélange’

August 4, 2018

Over the next several days in New York, some very familiar faces to daytime soap fans are busy filming episodes of a new series entitled Melange, which stars Morgan Fairchild (most recently ex-Angelica, DAYS).

The series is set against the backdrop of a historic New York City gay bar named “Melange”, and the fight for ownership over it, when it’s proprietor has suddenly and mysteriously died. Melange will explore themes of sexuality, immigration, addiction, power, and inclusion.

Guiding Light’s Robert Newman, All My Children’s Darnell Williams, One Life to Live’s Scott Evans , Kristen Alderson, Ilene Kristen, and David A. Gregory are some of the daytime faves tapped for roles in the series, which is said to be a half-hour drama.

In story, Newman, plays Syd Winchester, the deceased owner of ‘Mélange’. Scott Evans stars as Ryann Parker, a young man who fights to keep Mélange away from Syd’s wife, Vivian played by

Melange was created and being executive produce by Tom D’Angora, with former OLTL director and Emmy Award-winner, Gary Donatelli, and Tony Award winning producer, Tim Kashani.

According to Variety, at this time no network is currently attached to the project.

So, what do you think of the show concept of Mélange? Intrigued by the cast? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.